SHADOW BOXES

Shadow box frames and displays are used where items thicker than paper are
framed. These items
can be anything from a medal which may only require ¼ inch of depth to a
baseball bat requiring 3 inches or more. The idea of framing objects is to
create a tableau which both displays and protects treasured items.

Theater shadowbox

"Love from Grandma"

There are a number of methods for creating shadow boxes. Firstly,
frames with deeper than normal rabbet depths can be used to provide the needed
space. This we often use when relatively flat items and plaques are placed within the
same frame.

T-shirt with plaque in shadow box

Detail of plaque

A second method is to use a plexiglass box which can be made which fit into
any standard wooden frame. We use this for objects such as musical
instruments and masks.

Thirdly, a regular frame may be used, and the object "overlaps" the frame as
no glass is used. This is called an open shadowbox, as the viewer can get
up close to the objects and experience the immediate impact. We often
frame signed sports memorabilia using this method so that it is possible to
turn the objects around to view all the signatures.
Swords and military
items also lend themselves to this type of display.

Baseballs and bats in open shadow box

Footballs in open shadow box

In those cases where we do not have the perfect frame available, our
carpenter creates a frame of the necessary depth from whatever wood is chosen.
The bare wooden frame is then stained and waxed. The sides of the
frame are covered with matboard to match the finished work of art.